Package for fragile articles



Feb. 19, 1 935. F. H. SHERMAN PACKAGE FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1951 by fl0u7,Z "0% W Feb. 19, 1935. F, SHERMAN 1,991,424

PACKAGE FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed July 10, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 152g .9. 9 F 4 k ii 8 1; 29 f 27 FM/ WW 3 M WW7 V7332, 9

Feb. 19, 1935. F. H. SHERMAN 1,991,424.

PACKAGE? FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed July 10, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '7 Claims.

My invention relates to packages for fragile articles, such as eggs and other globular objects, and aims to provide a quick packing, inexpensive means for and method of packaging articles of the class described. This application is a continuation in part, as to all common subject matter, of my copending applications Serial No. 513,081, filed February 3, 1931 and Serial No. 297,629, filed August .6, 1928.

In the drawings, illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and typical means for practicing the method thereof,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete package including a container and an inner element, receiver, holder or filler;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, on a larger scale, of one end portion of a container alone, such as in Fig. 1, with portions broken away to show the wall structure;

smaller scale, of a modified package;

Fig. 4 is a large-scale end view of the container of Figs. 1, 2 and 9, partially collapsed;

Fig. 5is an end view of the package of Fig. 1, on a scale intermediate that of Figs. '1 and 4;

. Fig. 6 is a cross section of the blank, in fiat or unfolded condition, from which-the receiver of Figs. 1, 3 and 5 is formed, taken substantiallyon the line 66 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 7 is a plan of a portion of the blank of said receiver, also in its flat or unfolded condition; O

Fig 8 is a diagram illustrating the strut-like bracing action of the'receiver as in acontainer;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a package similar to that of Figs. 1, 2 and 5, showing a modified form of receiver or filler;

Fig. 10 is a view, corresponding to Fig. 7, of the blank for the receiver of Fig; '9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial cross sectional detail'view through a wall of the container of Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9, asjon the line 11-11 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 9;'

Fig. 12'is a plan of a package also embodying 4.3 the invention andincluding a modified form 'of container;

Fig. 13 is a view of one end of the container of the package of Fig. 12;

Fig. l3a is a plan-of a material; M

Fig. 13b is a section on the line l3b13b of Fig. 13a;

Fig. 14 is a view of the opposite end of the package of'Fig. -12, showing the upper end flap incompletely closed; v

piece of cushioning Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but on a.

Fig. 15 is a perspective of a further package embodying the invention, including a modified container, and illustrating a method of assembling the package parts;

Fig. 16 is an end view of that end of the package which is seen at the left in Fig. 15, with the outer flap partially elevated;

Fig. 17 is an end view of the package of Fig. 15, with the upper end flap incompletely closed. similarly as in Fig. 14; and v Fig. 18 is an end view of another modified form of package embodying the invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the package of my present invention comprises an outer element, container or carton 1 of any suitablesheet material folded into general tubular form, preferably having at least one end open or open-" able, both ends being open as illustratedin said figures. Said container comprises the bottom 2, sides walls 3, 3 and top 4. While in some instances the material of the container may be formed up or wrapped about the inner portion of the package and then secured together in tubular form, it is preferably a preformed tubular device, that is, in tubular form prior to complete assembly of the package.

The container 1 as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, and also in Fig. 9, is formed of a sheet of corrugated paper board, including a corrugated layer 5, Figs. 2 and 11, faced on one or both sides, herein on both sides, as by the outer facing 6 and the similar inner facing 7, making a doublefaced corrugated board. A sheet of said material of the desired length to form the container is creased or otherwise arranged for folding along three lines, to form three longitudinal edges of the tube, the free edges being brought together and secured as by a strip of adhesive tape or the like 8, at the fourth edge; see Fig. .4.

Cit will be particularly noted in Figs. 2 and 11 that the material of the container 1 is so disposed in the tube that the corrugations 5a of the corrugated portion 5 extend transversely of the container, in all walls thereof, being vertical in the side walls 3, 3'and crosswise from side to side inthe bottom 2 and top 4, whereby the maximum strength of the material is availed of to" resist ,both the vertical and transverse pressures. A container of extraordinary strength and pressure resistance results, as well as one which contributes to the cushioning of the package as a whole,

- by reason of the cushioning effect of the corrugations themselves.

While various forms of inner element, receiver, holder or filler may be employed in conjunction with the described tubular or wrapped container, I have herein illustrated a troughed or foldingsheet receiver which may be, and in Figs. 1 to 7 is, the same as shown in my said copending application Serial No. 513,081. Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, the blank for the receiver or filler, indicated as a whole by the letter B, comprises a planiform or substantially flat sheet of fibrous material, as contrasted, for example, with preformed tray-like devices intended for use without substantial preliminary folding. It may conveniently be formed directly from any suitable pulp such as wood or paper pulp, either fresh or reclaimed, and in accordance with the preferred manufacture is made on forms by a pulpsucking process whereby the entire blank is integrally created in the desired formation, ready for folding or setting'up for use, but other methods of manufacture may be followed, including stamping, pressing, blowing, or the like, and various -materials may 'be' employed.

The blank of Figs. 6 and 7 is provided in its formation with longitudinal fold formations or grooves a, b, dividing it into pairs of relatively narrow out r strips 15 and relatively wide inner strips 16, the strips 'of adjoining pairs being in reverse order. As best seen in Fig. 6,

- and as is also readily apparent in Fig. 7, the

I have a formation in the nature of a truncated pyramid. It will be noted that the intermediate upper portion of each raised element 17 has substantially straight side edges 17a between which it is illustrated as somewhat flattened. From these side edges 17a the material is oppositely and downwardly inclined, rather abruptly, as at 17b into the plane of the sheet. Thus, as illustrated, there. is a substantially flat and approximately rectangular portion 18 of considerable area between adjacent raised elements 17, these fiat portions 18 being in or substantially in the plane of the sheet. The end portions of these raised elements, facing the opposite longitudinal edges of the strips 15, are likewise oppositely inclined or led down into the plane of the sheet, as seen in Fig. 6 at.l7c. It will be observed that each of the strips 15 consists entirely of portions which are either in or substantially in the plane of the sheet or which are raised above it.

As illustrated, the outer portion of the strips 15 are reenforced as by the provision of a riblike formation or corrugation 19, see particularly Fig. 5, including a grooved portion 19a and an upwardly and inwardly turned portion or lip 19b. While shown as a continuous rib lengthwise the filler, this reenforcing means 19 may be of interrupted or other form. In addition to its strengthening function] it aids in entering the receiver into the tubular container in the manner to be described.

Referring again to Figs. 6 and 7, the inner and relatively wide strips 16 are connected at their by the fold formation 1). Each strip 16'is formed,

desirably in themanufacture of thesheet, with a longitudinal series of concavities 20, which are the peripheral side and end edges 21 and 22 the material of the receiver is sloped inwardly and downwardly, substantially in the manner seen in Fig. 6.

The adjacent peripheral portions of succeeding concavities 20 of a given strip desirably are spaced by transverse substantially fiat portions 23 lying in the plane of the sheet. Likewise, at the ends of the concavities, near the longitudinal edges of the strip 16, between the periphery of each concavity and the fold formations defining these strips, are longitudinal approximately flat portions 24 and 25, in or substantially in the plane of the blank sheet. The flat portions 23 and 24 meet in flat areas 26 of substantial extent, there also being similar flat areas 27 at the region where the fiat portions 23 and 25 unite.

In the direction transversely of the blank, that is, from top to bottom in Fig. 7, the concavities 20 of the two inner strips 16 are in registry respectively, and are also in registry with the plane portions 18 of the outer strips 15 intermediate-the raised elements 1'7 of the latter. upper portions of these elements 1'7 in turn are in registry with the plane portions 23 of the inner strips 16. Thus, inthe illustrative example, each of the relatively wider inner strips 16 consists wholly either of portions lying in or substantially'in the plane of the sheet or portions below that plane.

The blanks as illustrated and described are created in their planiform condition of Fig. 7, in which form they are adapted to be stacked and packed for shipment prior to use. In forming them up for use, the outer strips 15 are folded upwardly and toward each other along the hinge formations a and 0, while the inner strips 16 fold in the reverse direction along the central longitudinal hinge formation 1:. The device readily assumes its folded condition, in which, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 5, it has the general form, viewed endwise, of an inverted M.

The receiver blank of Figs. 6 and 7 is readily folded or troughed into its article receiving form,

by bending the outer strips upwardly along the lines a, c and reversely folding the blank along the intermediate line b. I desirably provide means for retaining the receiver in its troughed condition, independently of the container. For this purpose I may apply suitable adhesive, such as glue or the like, to the contacting surfaces of the two strips of each trough, including the inclined inner end faces of the mounds or raised formations 17 of the outer strips 15 and the registering fiat portions 24, 26 of the inner strips 16. Such applied adhesive is indicated at 28, 28, between said contacting surfaces, in Fig. 5, whereby the illustrated angular relation. between the trough walls is maintained and the receiver is held in its troughed or set-up condition.

The receiver, either with or without said adhesive or holding means, is readily assemblable with the container 1 by a relative longitudinal sliding movement of these two elements, whereby they are telescoped one within the other. In completingthe package, particularly if it is open at one or both ends as in Figs. 1 to 5, I desirably also provide for retaining said elements, the receiverand container, against relative movement The in their assembled condition, by any suitable means, and herein by the application of strips, zones or areas of adhesive, glue or the like along the outer faces of the outer strips .15, herein along the upper portions thereof, adjacent the corrugations '19, as indicated at 29, 29, Fig. 5, and/or on the adjacent portions of the container sides.

If desired, a third area of adhesive, continuous or interrupted, may be applied along the upper central portion of the receiver, at the junction of the two inclined walls 16, as indicated at 29ain Fig. 5, and/or on the adjacent portion of the container top, but may be omitted in some instances. After. application of the adhesive, the receiver and articles therein are slidingly as.- sembled with the container in the manner described, forming a unitary sealed package, which cannot subsequently be opened without leaving evidence thereof. The normal tendency of the upper portions of the receiver walls 16 to move outwardly insures a quick positive setting of the adhesive at 29, 29, holding the receiver securely in its tubular container.

One manner of subsequently opening the package is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. The package top 4 is cut or torn along or adjacent one or both side edges, the top being preferably, but not necessarily, completely removed, entirely exposing the eggs or other articles, in the tray-like device formed by the exposed receiver in the remaining side and bottom portions of the container. The articles may then readily be removed as they are desired for use, and may be kept in this tray-like holder until needed, in the refrigerator or other storage place. It will be understood that the means for holding the receiver trough walls in set up position, as at '28, 28, in conjunction with the holding means between the receiver and the container side walls, as at 29, 29, preserves the tray-like form of the opened package. Or, in opening the package of Fig. 1, the adhesive strip 8 may first be removed from one or both the surfaces to which it is applied, as also indicated in said figure, thus opening the top along one side edge, whereupon it may either be folded back along its outer side edge, or cut or torn off along that edge. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a package of great strength and rigid ity, as well as one which is cushioned on all sides, in addition to the major cushioning of the articles by the receiver itself. Referring again to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the outer or vertical strips or walls 15 of the receiver stand substantially erect along the container sides, while the intermediate walls or strips 16 assume the inclined positions indicated, wherein they extend continuously from or substantially from the base of the container sides to the central top portion'of the container. The upper edges of the strips 16, along the hinge b, are adaptedto support the overlying top wall along its longitudinal medial section, and in so doing the entire strips 16 act as struts or braces thrusting outwardly and downwardly directly into the lower side regions of the carton, in the angles between the bottom and the side walls, asclearly apparent in Fig, 5. Otherwise stated, each strip 16 forms a substantially true diagonal in its longitudinal half-section of the container, carton or wrapper. The filler thus firmly braces and reenforces the package as a whole.

The thrust of the'diagonal strips 16, in response to vertical pressures, .is'therefore taken by the strongest part of the container, at the junction of the sides of the latter with the bottom. The diagonal strips 16 are further reenforced and braced, against both vertical and transverse pressures, by reason of the illustrated preferred construction of the concave formations 20. These latter, in the two strips 16, are adapted to abut or contact each other, externally, back to back, at their intermediate or upperregions, for example, as herein indicated at 30, Figs. 1, and 8. Thus there is in effect a double strutlike supporting action, as will be readily understood fromthe diagrammatic Fig. 8, both along the diagonals 16 in said figure and the bracelines 20, from the bases of the container sides to the point of abutment 30 of the registering concave'formations 20. The portions of the strips 16, including the upper parts of the concavities 20 and the vflat areas 25, 25 between them, represented by the vertical line 17-30 in the diagram, thus constitute a strongly braced center element or rib adapted to support anything overlying it, such as the top of a carton, the cooperative relation of the several parts preventing this rib-like upper portion of the meeting walls 16 from sagging. warping or collapsing even under pressures 'much greater than encountered in ordinary shipping or storage conditions. Obviously the described pressure resisting action of the receiver is effective in the same manner in any confined space, such as in the opened package, whereby other things may be set on it, as in the refrigerator or elsewhere. As previously noted, the described receiver or holder is admirably adapted for cooperative use with a tubular openend container or wrapper, both of the preformed or end-filling and of thewrapping type, the re ceiver either being positioned in the preformed tubular outer element or having the latter wrapped about it and secured. The receiver,

lower side corner portions is particularly bene ficial inthis tube type of container.

It will be seen that a trough or trough element is formed by each erect strip 15 and the adjoining inclined strip 16, and that each inclined strip follows a diagonal of the carton or other space occupied by the particular trough, whether there be two troughs, or less or more. This space, for example, a longitudinal half-section of a standard-size 2 x 6 carton, is not s rictly square in cross section, being somewhat higher than wide. but for the purposes of the description and claims herein it may be considered that it is approximately square and that the transverse diagonals make angles of approximately with the horizontal or the vertical, as represented, for example, by the container sides or bottom. Accordingly it will be understood that when I refer to the inclination of the inclined walls 16 relative to the upright walls 15 as being substantially 45 I include such angles greater or less than precisely 45 as are formed by the'diagonals in any given space or carton section occupied by one trough element of my receiver or filler.

The eggs or other contained articles are adapted to be positioned in the troughs formed between the vertical strips 15 and the diagonal strips 16, each resting partly in a concavity 20 and partly against the flat portion 18 of the ad- 7 condition of the receiver each concavity and the registering portion of the upright strip 15 intermediate the raised portions or-mounds' 17 of the latter constitute a cell for an individual article, and in such cell the contained egg or other object iscushioned on all sides, and particularly at its lower portion, it being noted that the concavities 20 and associated parts are so constructed and arranged, in the illustrated example, as to space the contents vertically above the horizontal plane containing the hinge formations a, 0. Thus, in a container, the receiver contents are held off of and above the container bottom, thus cushioning them from below. Referring again to the drawings it will furthe be seen that the lowest or bottom portion of each cell is at or near the side of the receiver and of the container, being in the illustrated fomi in the extreme corner of angle at the base of the side walls. Thus the positioned articles, in the case of eggs or like elongated globular objects, are supported and cushioned with their longitudinal axes distinctly inclined, in the general direction from the bottom side edges of the receiver and of the container or carton to the upper mid-portion thereof. In this manner the receiver or filler is adapted to hold eggs of distinctly varying lengths, including over sizes, re taining and cushioning them wholly within the confir'fes of the vertical and horizontal planes containing the fold formations a, b, c of the receiver, and wholly within the natural space defined by the container walls, without bulging, whereby the container dimensions may be smaller thanotherwise would be necessary to attain like cushioning and safety in packing.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the package there shown includes a receiver or filler 15, 16 which may be the same as previously described. The container, outer element or carton 31 is also in this instanceof -a tubular construction having one or both ends open or openable. As illustrated in Fig. 3 it includes a bottom 32, sides 33, and a top 34. In the form as shown, one of said walls, herein the top 34, is provided with a securing flap 34a, adapted to lie flatwise against the adjacent side wall 33, to which it is secured in any suitable manner, as by gluing. In the top 34 there may be provided one or more windows 35, twobeing shown in this instance, one in each of the end portions of the package and positionedto expose the two end articles in each trough or cell row of the receiver. When employed, such windows 35 are preferably covered by any suitable transparent sheet material 36 such as cellophane, cellulose acetate or the like.

The package of Fig. 3 may be opened by bodily removing the top 34, to facilitate which a cut or tear line 37 may be provided along the top edge portion adjacent the securing flap 34a, and/or similarly along or adjacent the .fold line at the opposite longitudinal edge of the top, as at 38. These lines 3'7, 38 may be formed by scoring, perforating or partial perforating, or otherwise. As in the package of Figs. 1 and 5, the receiver is desirably secured in assembled position within the container by any suitable means, such as wire stitching, metal or other fasteners, or byadhesive. For the purpose I have shown in Fig. 3

areas or strips of glue 39, 39 between the outer faces of the upper portions of the upright members 15 of the receiverandthe adjacent inner faces of the container sides 33, 33. Such adhesive may be applied either to the receiver or to the container or both, prior to the sliding assmbly of these two elements. Also as in Figs. 1 and 5, the receiver is preferably held in itssetup or troughed condition by suitable means, such as the areas of adhesive 39a, 39a between the lower contactingportions of the respective receiver strips 15, 16, similarly as at 28, 28 in Fig. 5. In some instances, both in. connection with Figs. 1, 3 and 5 and in the other figures, the means for securing the filler or holder within the tubular container may be such as to permit subsequent endwise removal of the filler, such 'as sealing strips or seals at the end of the container. That is, it is not essential to the invention that the opening of the package be by way of ciitting or removal of the container top or other wall portion.

ment or container, indicated as a whole by the numeral 1, is illustrated as the same as in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, being formed of a double-faced corrugated pa er board folded to tubular form to provide th bottom 2, sides 3, 3 and top 4. The free edges of the sheet member constituting the tube are secured together as by the adhesive strip 8;

see particularlyFig. 9. The inner element, receiver or filler of Figs. 9 and 10, while generally similar to that of Figs. 6 and 7 has been modified particularly with the view to securing it in its set-up, folded or troughed condition for use.

As best seen in Fig. 10 the sheet or blank of the filler, illustrated as a whole by the character B, includes the outer strips or longitudial portions 15a, 15a and the inner strips or sections 16a, 16a, the several strips being connected at the fold lines 2, b, c, as in Figs. 6 and '7. On the outer strips- 15a are the transversely extending ridges, mounds or raised formations 40 which may be the same as the corresponding elements 17 of Figs. 6 and 'I in all respects not otherwise described. Intermediate said raised formations 40 are the substantially flat portions 41, corresponding to the portions 18 of Figs. 6 and 7. In the present instance, however, the inner parts of said portions 41 are crossed by ridges 42 extending lengthwise of the receiver and having inclined inner faces 43 in the same plane with, andforming substantially a continuation of, the inner end faces 44 of the raised formations 40. The other face of said ridges 42, away from the fold lines a and 0 respectively, are sloped outwardly so as to merge into the plane of the sheet and into the flat portions 41. Thus there is provided an inclined surface illustrated as extending uninterruptedly the full length of the receiver, that is, from left to right in Fig. 10, including the inner end faces of theraised formations 40 and the inner inclined faces of the ridges 42.

In Figs. 6 and '7, as previously described, the concavities 20 of the inner strip 16 do not extend across said strips from hinge to hinge, but terminate short of the latter, leaving the flat areas -24, 25 between the-respective ends'of the consion of the inclined faces 43 of the ridges 42.

The flat areas 46 at the outer ends of the transverse flat portions 47 between the concavities 20 are also correspondingly wider in the direction crosswise of the strips 16a. Thus the flat sections extending uninterruptedly the length of the Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, the outer elestrips 16a, intermediate the concavities and the fold lines or hinges a,'c have each a total area approximately corresponding to that of the end faces 44 of the raised formations 40 and the inclined inner faces 43 of the ridges 42 of each of the outer strips 15a. These described areas afford extensive surfaces for the application of adhesiv'e such as glue, throughout the entire length of the receiver, if desired. Thus the receiver of Figs. 9 and 10 is particularly adapted for securing in troughed or set-up condition by application of adhesive to the areas described, and as indicated at 47, 47, Fig. 9.

It will be noted by comparison of Fig. 9 with Fig. that the lower portions of the article receiving cells formed in the set-up condition of the receiver are lifted off the container bottom 2 somewhat more in Fig. 9 than in Fig. 5 and that lower portions of the upright strips 15a are somewhat set in from the side walls, by reason of the.

cross ridges 42, but the troughs as a whole nevertheless extend into the angle or corner between the bottom and side walls of the container, affording diagonal corner bracing as in the receiver of Figs. 6 and 7.

As in Figs. 1, 3 and 5 the receiver and container of Fig. 9 may be held against relative longitudinal movement, in their assembled condition, by suitable means such as the glued sections 29, 29 at the opposite outer sides of the receiver and also, if desired, at 29a, intermediate the top of the receiver and the container top 4.

Turning now to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the package there illustrated includes an inner element, receiver or filler illustrated in Figs. 12 and 14 as the same as that of Figs. 6 and7.

A modified form of outer element or container is indicatedas a whole by the numeral 50, in

said Figs. 12 to 14. It is again of general'tubular form as viewed endwise or in'vertical cross section and may be composed of any suitable sheet material, preferably paper or cardboard, and may be of a corrugated structure as in Fig.

2, but in this instance is shown as cardboard or paper board of suitable weight, generally similar to that. of Fig. 3. Said container comprises a bottom 52, sides 53 and a top 54. In this embodiment of the invention both side walls are provided with inturned securing flaps or glue laps 55. Adhesive is applied along at least the outerportions of these laps as at 55a, but preferably leaving an inner strip of their top faces free of adhesive. The container top 54, in this instance aseparate piece, has longitudinal formations 56 such as perforations, scores or the like set in from its side edges, desirably by a distance somewhat less than the width of the glue laps 55, and preferably at least as great as the width of the 'adhesive area of the latter. Thus the container top is secured in position completing the tube, by

the adhesive at its side edges, between it and the' glue laps, and outside the perforations or the like 56. This. construction aifords strong upper corher sections for the container and avoids premature separation of the top along the lines 56 as may sometimes happen if the perforations are at or immediately adjoining the corner folds of the container. In this way the said formations 56 are relieved of corner strains, and at the same disposed with respect both to the sides and ends of the container. As illustrated it has an area approximately equal to the combined area of the two windows 35, 35 of the package of Fig. 3 and is closed by a sheet of transparent material 58, such as cellophane, cellulose acetate, or the like, as in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 13 I have shown the tubular container alone. It is understood that the filler or holder to be contained may be of any desired form, including assembled fillers, but preferably one wherein the pockets or cells have bottoms for retaining the articles, in the manner of a tray, although this is not essential in all instances. Whatever the structureof filler or holder, the

container, as seen in Fig. 13, may be provided along its inner faces, particularly at its sides or portions thereof, and along its bottom or a section or sections of the bottom, with cushioning and rei forcing means. Said means comprises suitabl sheet material, such as single-faced or other corrugated board, or a special form of indented cardboard as illustrated at the container sides at 53a, 53a and at the bottom at 52a. Fig. 13a is a plan view of a small portion of this materiaLand Fig. 13b a section through the same. The spaced hollow elevations or humps 53b of this material, at one face, appear as depressions at the opposite face, and vice .versa, the two faces being substantially the same otherwise. These indentations are placed in the pulp while it is still wet, as contrasted with embossing after entire processing of the board, thus obtaining an improved cushioning or resilient effect. While I have shown this cushioning means as secured, by adhesive, to inner portions of the container, it may in some cases be applied to the corresponding portions of whatever filler or holder is employed.

In the form of Figs. 12- to 14, and referring particularly to Fig. 14, closure means-is illustrated at one end of the container. Said means, if employed, may conveniently comprise a pair ofupright end flaps 59, 59 constituting foldable extensions of the container sides 53, 53 respectively, an outer upturning flap 60, formed as an extension of the container bottom 52, and an outer down-folding flap 61, comprising an extension of the top 54. .The inner vertical flaps 59 desirably' extend substantially the entire height of the container, and the outer or longitudinal flaps preferably have an extent approximately equal to the width of the container, but these latter, as well as the inner flaps 59, may be variously relatively proportioned. In Fig. 14 the described end closure means is shown in partially closed condition. The end flaps 59 have been turned in, and the lower outer flap 60 has been turned up and adhesively secured to the inner fiaps 59. The

upper flap 61 is still slightly elevated, merely for. the purpose of illustration, to expose the inner flaps. It will be understood that, in completely closed condition, the upper flap 61 is closed down and adhesively secured against the inner flap's, its lower edge then meeting the upper edge of the lower flap 60, providing a complete end closure.

Referring now to Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive, the irmer, element or receiver comprises a troughed holder or filler including the cooperating pairs of strips 15, 16-similarly as in the previously described figures. In this instance I provide an additional liner or tray-forming element 65 including a bottom 66 and sides 67, 67 but preferably open at the top. Said member 65 may be formed of any suitable sheet material such as ing crosswise of the receiver, that is, vertically in the side walls 67 andtransve'rsely in the bottom 66, similarly as in the case of the-double-faced corrugated sheetof the container of Fig. 2. The

receiver proper 15, 16 is set into and desirably secured in the liner or tray element 65 as by the application of glue between the latter and the outer faces of the strips 15, as at the points 69, 69, Fig. 15.

The outer element or container, indicated as a whole by the numeral 80, is again of general tubular form as viewed in open-end elevation or cross section, but in this instance is providedwith closure means for both ends, that for one end, as seen in Fig. 17, being adapted for non-openable or permanent sealing, substantially as in Fig. 14, and that at the other end, as seen in Figs.'15 and 16, being arranged for subsequent opening.

Referring first to the end shown in Fig. 17, the closura means includes vertical end flaps 74, 74 similar to the flaps 59, 59 of Fig'. 14, a bottom flap 75 adapted for gluing to the outer faces of said flaps 74, and a single outer flap 76 formed as an extension of one ,wall, herein the top wall 73, and adapted to be folded down and secured adhesively fiatwise against the bottom flap 75 and portions of the upright flaps 74, said outer flap 76 desirably being shaped and proportioned to cover the entire end of the container.

At the other end of the container 70, referring to Figs. 15 and l 6, are vertical end flaps 77 in extension of the container sides 72. A single outer flap 78 is hingedly connected along the edge of one container wall, herein the top 73. This outer flap 78 is formed with a tuck 79, adapted to be entered beween the container bottom and the liner element 65, or above the bottom of said liner element, between it and the receiver proper. In

Fig. 15 the package is shown in partially assembled condition, the receiver proper and the liner or tray-member having been securedrtogether and partially positioned in the container, by rela- In Fig. 16'

- partially elevated. After the tuck 79 has been inserted, an adhesive seal or other means may be applied for securing the flap 78 in closed position.

In Fig. 18 is seen a still further form of package embodying the invention, including a troughed sheet-formed receiver or inner element and a tubular container. In this instance the receiver is illustrated as of the type disclosed in my abovementioned copending application Serial No. 297,629, filed August 6, 1928. The cellular troughs of the receiver each here comprise three strip portions, including the outer and inner side strips 80 and the intermediate bottom strips 81,'said trough-forming strips being folded into substantial W-shape or blunt-bottomed double-V shape, or they may be folded reversely at each succeeding fold, as in the previous figures. On each of said strips 80 and 81 are registering transverse mound-like raised formations 82, generally similar to the raised elements 17 of Figs. 6 and 7, and

adapted, in the folded or troughed condition of ioning means for the respective cells of the individual articles, such as the eggs E. Both the side and bottom walls may also be provided with lower raised formations intermediate the higher partitioning formations, as seen at 84, 85 respectively. In the form of Fig. 18, the receiver and tubular container 86, after assembly by a telescoping or relative sliding action, are secured to-- gether as by means of the staples or wire stitches 87 connecting the container and receiver bottoms.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the described tubular package is susceptible of numerous variations within the scope of the invention, and that various forms of inner element or filler and of outer element or container may be employed. It will also be understood that in any of the particular modifications herein illustrated as typical, features shown in connection with one modification may be employed in another or others. For example, the containers of Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 and of Fig. 3 may include use of securing means intermediate the receiver and container of any suitable form, whether gluing, stapling or other means, in connection with any of the forms, all with the broad scope of my invention. 7 W

The particular embodiments of the invention herein shown and described are illustrative rather than limitative, the scope of the invention being pointed out in the following claims.

I claim:

'1. A package for eggs and other fragile globular articles, comprising, in combination, a sheet of material folded to form an internal article-holding and package bracing element including outerstrip members and oppositely inclined inner strip -members disposed to afford diagonal comer support between the package top and the bases of the package sides, said strip members having thereon transverse formations providing receiving spaces for the individual articles, an inter mediate tray element within which said articleholding element is set and held in folded form, said tray and article-holding elements provided with interengaging means and said elements together constituting a unit for subsequent manipulation and use, a tubular outer element or con- -for securing the tray and article-holding unit within the tubular element.

2. A package for eggs and other fragile globular articles, comprising, in combination, a sheet of material folded to form an internal article-holdterengaging means and said elements together constituting a unit for subsequent manipulation and use, and a tubular outer element or container of rectangular cross-section and having circumferentially continuous walls transversely of the package and adapted to receive said tray and article-holding unit, said tray element including a bottom and side walls substantially perpendicular thereto, said bottom and side walls receiving in their intermediate angles the meeting lower portions of said strip members to-reinforce and additionally cushion the latter and distribute their angular thrust over the lower side corner portions of the tubular element.

3. A globular-article package comprising, in combination, a container having top, bottom and opposite side walls connected in the form of an end-receiving tube, a receiver telescoped within said container, said receiver comprising a sheet of material folded into one or more troughs each having a substantially vertical side and an inclined side forming a corner diagonal of that section of the container occupied by its trough, said trough sides having thereon a series of transverse formations for individually receiving and supporting the articles, a tray element comprising bottom and two opposite side walls, intermediate the tubular container and the receiver, and means apart from the tubular container for holding the tray sides in substantially upright position with respect to its bottom wall and for retaining the receiver in folded condition, said tray and receiver constituting a unit for manipulation and use independently of the container.

4. A globular-article package comprising, in combination, a container having top, bottom and opposite side walls connected in the form of an end-receiving tube, a receiver telescoped within said container, said receiver comprisinga sheet of material folded into parallel strips, one strip standing substantially erect, another of said strips forming an angle of approximately 45 with the adjacent erect strips, said strips having transverse formations cooperating to position, support and cushion the articles individually, a tray element comprising bottom and two opposite side walls, intermediate the tubular container and the receiver, and means apart from the tubular container for holding the tray sides in substantially upright positionv with respect to its bottom wall and for retaining the receiver in folded condition, said tray and receiver constituting a unit for manipulation and use independently of the container.

5. A globular-article package compris ng, in combination, a container having top, bottom and opposite side walls-connected in the form of an end-receiving tube, a troughed-sheet article-receiver having integral formations in its trough or troughmproviding cells therein, and a tray-like holding element of U-shape in cross-section intermediate said receiver and container, said holding element having the receiver placed within it, and said holding element and said receiver having interengaging means connecting them for manipulation and use as a unit apart from said tube, said holding element constructed and arranged to reinforce and brace the lower side and adjoining bottom portions of the container and to distribute external pressure at said regions more equally with respect to the receiver.

6. In a package for eggs, a tubular container for a cellular inner element, said container being of substantially rectangular cross-sectional form and comprising a bottom and'side walls, inturned laps 55 on the side walls along their upper edges, and a top wall secured along its longitudinal side portions to said laps, said laps providing for more ready removal of the top wall without disturbing the side walls and constituting reinforcing and cushioning means for the upper corner portions of the container.

7. In a package for eggs, a tubular container for a cellular inner element, said container being of substantially rectangular cross-sectional form and comprising a bottom and side walls, inturned laps 55 on the side walls along their upper edges, and a top wall, said top wall having longitudinal perforate or like removal formations 56 spaced inwardly from its side edges and being adhesively secured to said laps outwardly of said removal formations, whereby removal of said top wall portion intermediate said formations leaves the side walls intact, said laps serving also to reinforce and cushion the upper corner portions of the container.

FRANCIS H. SHERMAN. 

